SCHENGEN VISA GUIDE

Europe is on everyone’s bucket list but to get there; you need a Schengen Visa. Check out our Best Schengen Visa Guide for Traveling Europe.

A Schengen visa is a short stay Visa allowing you travel to the Schengen area. The stay is of 90 days only whether it is for business purpose or tourism. The most common Visa for Europe, the Schengen Visa enables the holder to enter the Schengen zone, travel freely and leave it. Within the Schengen Zone, there are no border controls.

Over 15 million people used Schengen Visa to travel around Europe in 2019.

MEMBER COUNTRIES : There are 26 countries which have signed the Schengen agreement and included in the Schengen zone. The Schengen agreement allows the member countries and their citizens, to travel within the Schengen zone freely.

Schengen Visa can be issued by every member country of the Schengen zone.

There are 26 member countries are:

• Italy
• Belgium
• France
• Austria
• Denmark
• Finland
• Greece
• Iceland
• Malta
• Norway
• Latvia
• Estonia
• Czech Republic
• Poland
• Switzerland
• Spain
• Slovakia
• Sweden
• Portugal
• Luxembourg
• Liechtenstein
• Slovenia
• Netherlands
• Germany
• Hungry
• Lithuania

There are 19 countries which are not part of the Schengen zone, but they still allow the foreigners of non- Schengen countries to enter and stay in the territories freely. They can do this by only showing a Schengen visa, i.e. a multiple- entry Schengen Visa. A national permit which is issued by these countries is required to transit, enter and stay in their territory.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To get into any Schengen country, you have to go through the application process for obtaining a European Visa. It would be best if you start first by reading this article to know more about Schengen Visa application process. Let’s explore the steps involved in the Schengen Visa application process:

• Find out the type of Schengen Visa which suits you best: There are various types of Schengen Visa. Based on your purpose of entering the Schengen area, you can apply for any of the following Schengen Visa:
• Tourism Visa
• Business Visa
• Study Visa
• Tourist Visa
• Visa for Medical reasons
• Visa for official visits
• Visa for visiting friends and family
• Visa for sports and cultural activities

   2. Figure out the place you need to apply: This is the second step in the Schengen Visa application process. Now, you need to figure out the place you need to apply from. Depending on your destination country, you can file a Schengen Visa application at any of the following locations:

• One of their consulates.
• Their Embassy
• The consulate/ embassy of another Schengen state where the embassy of your destination country has outsourced Visa submission.

   3. Figure out the suitable time to apply: The Schengen consulates or embassies need some time to process the Schengen Visa. Therefore, you have to file your visa application within the appointed period. The time within which you need to apply for your Visa is:

• Latest 15 working days before you intend to travel. You can file the Visa application.
• Six months before you start your trip is the earliest you can file the Visa.
• at least three weeks before the trip is the recommended time to file your Visa application.

   4. Book Appointment: To proceed with your application, you need to book an appointment either at the Authorised Visa Consultant Company or the embassy of the destination country. Some countries also provide the chance to book an appointment online.

   5.  Filling Visa application form: Now, you need to fill out the Visa application form correctly. The format of the Schengen Visa application form is the same as of others. You need to fill the following information on the application form:

• Personal details
• Background information
• Academic Qualification
• Financial Security
• Purpose of your visit
• Reason for not misusing your Visa (e.g. you have a stable life, house and job in native country)
• Additional details regarding the trip.

# TIPS

• Download the latest application form (as there might be some changes introduced)
• Give all the information correctly by cross-checking with available documents.
• Make sure you have a reputed sponsor or place of stay.
• Don’t hide any false doings or conviction or rejected Visas as some countries do share immigration records with other countries for security reasons.
• Don’t leave any of the columns blank instead mark N/A.
• Always make two copies.

   6. Gather all the required documents: The most crucial part of the Visa application form is the required documents. The documents required are:

• Visa application form
• Two similar photos
• Passport
• Proof of financial means
• Address proof
• Insurance policy

   7. Visa Interview: Reach the interview venue on-time. The Visa consulate will ask you some personal questions about you, whereabouts and additional travel details. Be precise and confident while answering.

   8. Payment of Visa fee: A non-refundable processing fee needs to be paid by the applicant EUR 80. For children between 6-12 years EUR 40. And for Countries with Visa Facilitation agreement with European Union the fee stands EUR 35.

   9. Wait for an answer: Now, you need to wait for a response from Embassy or Visa Consultant Company. Although it takes only 15 days for processing a Visa, however in some case it may take longer.

If you have any queries then drop a mail or call the nearest Authorized Visa Consultant or Embassy.

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